When I first heard about Ted Lasso, I had no interest in watching it because I don’t really have an interest in soccer (a.k.a. football). We didn’t have the option to play it where I grew up (tiny town, minimal extra-curricular activities – so small my school had to join with another just to have an American football team, and even then we didn’t have enough folks to have cuts).
But I kept hearing over and over – it’s about so much more than that. And they weren’t wrong. At its core, the show was about connections and the complexities of being human. And I LOVED it. Well, love it. As in present tense, still do.
As a character-driven writer and reader, I loved the way all of the characters evolved over the series’ three seasons. The Rebecca and Keely friendship. Ted coming to terms with his mental health. The layers of friggin’ Roy Kent. I know I’m far from the only one to say how quickly this character became one of my favorite things on television. (Or how Brett Goldstein quickly became one of my favorite storytellers. His follow-up Shrinking is quite fun, as well.)
That all being said, I’m not really one for attending stand up shows. I’ve watched some on streaming platforms (looking at you Noah Trevor), but I’ve never gone so far as to spend money on a ticket for one. (Not that it’s not a valuable thing to spend money on – just not usually my scene.) But then Brett Goldstein announced he’d be in Chicago. And I almost bought a ticket…but didn’t. Then he announced new shows because the first sold out too quickly – and I felt like I’d regret not taking the chance to see him live.
I attended the second of his three shows at the Chicago Theater (which is such a lovely venue – I’ve been here a few times). And it was SUCH a delightful evening. Never underestimate the impact a night of good laughs can have. (If he’s coming to a venue near you, and you’ve been on the fence – get the ticket. You might regret not going, but I can’t imagine anyone walked out of that theater regretting having attended.)
His opener, Mo Welch, was fun. Her routine was about fifteen minutes, and Goldstein even played off a few of her jokes. Then we got an hour and fifteen minutes of Goldstein’s observational humor, during which he took cracks at himself, Florida, our public restrooms – everything but the city of Chicago. He claimed he had walked around before the first show to come up with some bits, as this was his first time in the city – but he claimed he couldn’t find a single thing to poke at. But I bet he says this to all the cities. (❁´◡`❁)
One thing I missed was that in the foyer of the theater, Goldstein had a question box for folks. He spent about fifteen minutes reading through and answering questions – which ranged from simple to strange, everything from what movie did he most want to do a Muppets reboot of (he answered Goodfellas…and, I mean, yes – I would watch the hell of out that) to advice for a couple about to tie the knot (he offered advice on keeping the physical intimacy of a relationship alive) to his favorite American snack (corn dogs) to who he thinks aliens should abduct (he pointed out there was a building nearby with the man’s name on it).
If you get the chance, definitely go. And seek out that question box. 🙂
Ami Maxine 